US20230045321A1 - System for loading and/or manipulating a sample in a sample transfer device - Google Patents

System for loading and/or manipulating a sample in a sample transfer device Download PDF

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Publication number
US20230045321A1
US20230045321A1 US17/873,266 US202217873266A US2023045321A1 US 20230045321 A1 US20230045321 A1 US 20230045321A1 US 202217873266 A US202217873266 A US 202217873266A US 2023045321 A1 US2023045321 A1 US 2023045321A1
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Prior art keywords
dry box
sample
transfer device
opening
sample transfer
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US17/873,266
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English (en)
Inventor
Reinhard Lihl
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Leica Mikrosysteme GmbH
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Leica Mikrosysteme GmbH
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Assigned to LEICA MIKROSYSTEME GMBH reassignment LEICA MIKROSYSTEME GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LIHL, REINHARD
Publication of US20230045321A1 publication Critical patent/US20230045321A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B21/00—Microscopes
    • G02B21/24—Base structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L1/00—Enclosures; Chambers
    • B01L1/02—Air-pressure chambers; Air-locks therefor
    • B01L1/025—Environmental chambers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/18—Means for temperature control
    • B01L2300/1894—Cooling means; Cryo cooling
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/42—Low-temperature sample treatment, e.g. cryofixation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J2237/00—Discharge tubes exposing object to beam, e.g. for analysis treatment, etching, imaging
    • H01J2237/20—Positioning, supporting, modifying or maintaining the physical state of objects being observed or treated
    • H01J2237/204—Means for introducing and/or outputting objects

Definitions

  • the present inventive concept relates to a system for loading a sample into and/or for manipulating a sample in a sample transfer device at cryogenic temperatures, said system comprising the sample transfer device configured to receive a sample through a receiving opening of the sample transfer device and configured to transfer the sample to a processing or analysing unit.
  • the sample transfer device of the system is used in the field of cryo-microscopy for transferring a sample to be examined, for instance, to a cryogenic-electron microscope (cryo-EM) or to a cryo-light microscope (cryo-LM), or, in another example, for loading and/or manipulating a sample or sample carrier or sample holder inside the sample transfer device and then transferring the sample or sample carrier or the sample holder to another processing unit like a FIB (focused ion beam) device for further processing the sample or to an analysing unit such as a cryo-microscope for examining the sample.
  • a cryogenic-electron microscope cryo-EM
  • cryo-LM cryo-light microscope
  • U.S. Pat. No. 10,144,010 B2 discloses a manipulation container for cryo-microscopy, which manipulation container essentially corresponds to a sample transfer device of the kind discussed above.
  • Cryo-microscopy particularly includes cryo-light microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy.
  • Cryofixation is a sample preparation method frequently used in cryo-electron microscopy. In it, a water-containing sample is frozen very quickly (cryofixed) to a temperature of less than ⁇ 150° C., i.e. it is cooled very rapidly in order to avoid the formation of ice crystals. Cryofixation has proven to be particularly suitable for investigations of structural biology. The objects to be investigated, for example cells, enzymes, viruses, or lipid layers, thereby become embedded in a thin, vitrified ice layer. The great advantage of cryofixation is that the biological structures can be obtained in their natural state.
  • a biological process can be halted at any point in time by cryofixation, and investigated in that vitrified state, for example in a cryo-electron microscope but also in a light microscope with corresponding sample cooling; cryo-light microscopy serves principally to locate relevant regions in the sample, which can be noted and then viewed in more detail in a cryo-electron microscope.
  • the frozen samples which as a general rule are located on electron-microscope sample carriers known per se, for example a grid or a pin stub mount for scanning electron microscopy, must be conveyed (under the aforesaid cryogenic conditions and with water excluded) into corresponding sample carrier mounts that can subsequently be conveyed in appropriate holders, into the aforesaid microscopes.
  • cryofixation device for example a cryofixation device, a FIB (“Focused Ion Beam”) device, a freeze fracture apparatus, or a coating apparatus
  • the analytical devices in this case principally a cryo-light microscope and/or a cryo-electron microscope.
  • the samples to be examined first have to be placed on a sample carrier/grid, and the sample carrier is then typically placed on a sample holder/cartridge.
  • the sample holder/cartridge is then loaded into the sample transfer device, also known as cryo-CLEM shuttle (“cryo-light-electron-microscopy shuttle”).
  • the sample transfer device can be connected to e.g. the cryo-stage of a cryo-microscope and, by transferring the sample holder/cartridge to the cryo-stage, the sample is transferred to the cryo-microscope. It is noted that other embodiments of this process are possible and other applications can be envisaged, e.g. where a sample or a sample carrier is directly loaded into a sample transfer device without the need of a sample holder/cartridge.
  • frozen samples are handled in a cold environment, e.g. in cold gaseous N 2 above a level of liquid N 2 , said liquid N 2 (LN 2 ) being filled e.g. in a chamber inside the sample transfer device.
  • ice crystals can form in the transition area between the cold gas and the surrounding atmosphere containing humid air.
  • Even more and bigger ice crystals can form during manipulation of frozen samples when this transition area is turbulently mixed by movement of a user's hand or tool.
  • the resulting ice crystals or flakes can fall on the frozen sample and can contaminate it up to a degree where further use for subsequent process steps is no longer possible.
  • a standard solution is to create a steady stream of cryogenic gas, such as gaseous N 2 , out of a sample area around the frozen sample.
  • cryogenic gas such as gaseous N 2
  • This solution has the disadvantage that large amounts of liquid cryogenic gas need to be vaporized to maintain a sufficient flow of cryogenic gas.
  • such a flow can cause turbulences at edges or obstacles, and eddies of this turbulent flow can transport ice crystals into the sample area.
  • lids In order to reduce the impact of such turbulent flows, it is common practice to cover any openings to the sample area by lids at least for the time where no manipulation is done. Often, sliders are provided such that the lids can be opened to only release the smallest necessary area for manipulation. This, on the one hand, hinders free manipulation and, on the other hand, still involves the risk of introducing ice crystals through the residual openings.
  • An object of the present inventive concept is to provide a system for loading a sample into a sample transfer device and/or for manipulating a sample placed in a sample transfer device at cryogenic temperatures, the use of this system minimizing the risk of contamination or devitrification of a sample loaded into and/or manipulated in said sample transfer device of the kind discussed above.
  • the present inventive concept provides a system for loading a sample into and/or for manipulating a sample in a sample transfer device at cryogenic temperatures according to claim 1 .
  • manipulating in this context includes an unloading of a sample from the sample transfer device.
  • sample in the context of this application is meant to include the sample itself, a sample carrier carrying the sample and/or a sample holder carrying a sample carrier and/or a sample.
  • the system comprises the sample transfer device configured to receive the sample through a receiving opening of the sample transfer device and configured to transfer said sample to a processing or analysing unit.
  • a sample and/or a sample carrier and/or a sample holder is received in the interior or in a chamber of the sample transfer device through a receiving opening of the sample transfer device.
  • the system further comprises a dry box having an interface opening and being configured to be connected to the sample transfer device such that the interface opening of the dry box and the receiving opening of the sample transfer device are facing each other to enable a sample to be transferred from the dry box into the sample transfer device.
  • the dry box is configured to be coupled to the sample transfer device via an interface opening.
  • the interface opening of the dry box is typically lying on top of or is located opposite the receiving opening of the sample transfer device through which a sample/sample carrier/sample holder can be transferred from the dry box into the sample transfer device or vice versa.
  • the interface opening provides access into the interior of a housing part of the dry box, which housing part forms a volume space that can be used for users' operations as described in more detail below.
  • the sample transfer device and the dry box can be coupled or connected to each other and the resulting connection preferably constitutes a closed or a sealed connection providing a minimum of leakage airflow.
  • the connection does not necessarily have to be hermetically sealed.
  • the dry box and the sample transfer device are connectable to each other by a mechanical and/or magnetic connection.
  • the contact surfaces of the dry box and the sample transfer device may be made of or comprise a magnetic material providing such a magnetic connection and/or may be formed of or comprise mechanical elements interacting with each other to provide a mechanical connection.
  • the system of the present inventive concept provides another different option to a system where a sample transfer device is handled within the inside of a glove box. While such a system is very effective to avoid contamination, manipulation of the small samples or sample carriers like TEM-grids in such a glove box is cumbersome. Furthermore, the transfer of the samples into the glove box and the transfer of the sample transfer device outside of the glove box need suitable lock systems.
  • the system according to the present inventive concept uses a dry box having an interface to a sample transfer device, and a sample transfer device having an interface to the dry box such that both, the dry box and the sample transfer device, can be connected to each other.
  • sample can be frozen and/or even vitrified inside the dry box or a sample in its frozen or vitrified state can be transferred into and handled inside the dry box, there is no need for a sample lock system. Further, as the sample transfer system is not placed inside the dry box, no corresponding lock system for the sample transfer device is necessary.
  • the dry box comprises an interface opening lid for opening and closing the interface opening of the dry box.
  • the interface opening lid i.a. serves the purpose of being able to close the dry box, e.g. for generating a suitable atmosphere inside the dry box, preferably comprising an inert gas as its main component such as gaseous nitrogen e.g. from a gas cylinder or vaporized cryogenic gas, like vaporized LN 2 (liquid nitrogen).
  • the sample transfer device comprises a receiving opening lid for opening and closing the receiving opening of the sample transfer device.
  • the receiving opening lid serves the purpose of being able to open the inside of the sample transfer device for loading the sample into and/or for manipulating the sample in the sample transfer device, and, on the other hand, serves the purpose of closing the receiving opening, e.g. before connecting the sample transfer device to a processing or analysing unit for transferring the sample.
  • the receiving opening lid may be closed in order to generate a suitable atmosphere inside the sample transfer device, again e.g. an atmosphere of cold cryogenic gas like vaporized LN 2 .
  • the inside of the sample transfer device is filled to a certain level below the sample holder with LN 2 such that the sample/sample carrier/sample holder is in close vicinity to the bath of liquid nitrogen.
  • the sample holder may have or be connected to “tentacles” extending into the liquid nitrogen bath to improve the cooling effect.
  • the dry box including the interface opening lid in its closed state is connectable to the sample transfer device including the receiving opening lid in its closed state.
  • the closed sample transfer device may be connected to the closed dry box, each of them particularly being provided with suitable atmospheres, and after connecting the two units, the interface opening lid may be opened for opening the interface opening, and then, the receiving opening lid may be opened, particularly through the interface opening of the dry box, in order to open the receiving opening of the sample transfer device. In this state, a sample can be transferred from the dry box into the sample transfer device.
  • a distance between the interface opening lid in its closed state and the receiving opening lid in its closed state is as small as possible, preferably in the range of 0 to 10 mm or in the range of 0 to 5 mm, in a state where the dry box is connected to the sample transfer device.
  • the interspace between the closed interface opening and the closed receiving opening resulting in a dead volume can be held as little as possible.
  • This dead volume typically comprises air with a certain degree of humidity, which is flushed into the dry box when opening the interface opening lid and/or into the inside of the sample transfer device when opening the receiving opening lid.
  • the dry box comprises an inlet for introducing an inert gas into the inside of the dry box.
  • gaseous nitrogen e.g. from a gas cylinder may be introduced or liquid nitrogen may be vaporized outside of the dry box and the cold nitrogen gas may be introduced through the inlet into the dry box.
  • an inert gas in its liquid state like LN 2 , for instance in a Dewar vessel, may be arranged inside the dry box such that vaporized inert gas is able to fill the volume of the dry box.
  • the dry box comprises an outlet for discharging gas out of the inside of the dry box.
  • outlet in this context comprises any gas leak, for instance, at the interface where the dry box is coupled to the sample transfer device or at other access openings into the dry box which are not hermetically sealed.
  • the dry box comprises a sample supply container opening configured to be connected with a sample supply container.
  • a sample supply container may contain tissue sections from a cryo-ultramicrotome or sample carriers from a grid plunger.
  • the sample supply container is connected to the dry box such that a sample/sample carrier can be transferred from the sample supply container through the sample supply container opening of the dry box to the sample transfer device. This transfer takes place inside the dry box such that no contamination, particularly freezing of water, or even devitrification can occur.
  • the sample/sample carrier is mounted onto a sample holder/cartridge.
  • the dry box comprises a sample supply container opening lid for opening and closing the sample supply container opening of the dry box.
  • This lid allows to only open the sample supply container opening after a suitable dry and cold atmosphere has been generated inside the dry box.
  • the dry box comprises an inert gas opening configured to be connected with an inert gas storage container.
  • This storage container may be a Dewar vessel which is connected via the inert gas opening to the dry box such that vaporized inert gas can fill the inside of the dry box.
  • an inert gas such as gaseous nitrogen can be taken from e.g. a gas cylinder.
  • the inert gas opening may be opened and closed by a corresponding inert gas opening lid.
  • the sample transfer device itself comprises an inert gas reservoir at cryogenic temperatures.
  • a small chamber inside the sample transfer device can be filled with liquid nitrogen as an example for a cryogenic gas which vaporizes such that the inside of the sample transfer device is filled with a dry, cold and inert atmosphere. It is also possible to only use this source of cryogenic gas to fill the dry box with cryogenic gas; another source of cryogenic gas may be provided by the sample supply container when connected to the dry box. It is, however, preferred to use an additional source of cryogenic gas to build up the cryogenic atmosphere within a shorter time period.
  • the dry box comprises a humidity sensor and/or a measuring device for detecting a humidity inside the dry box.
  • This humidity sensor can be used for detecting a sufficiently low level of humidity inside the dry box, preferably the relative humidity is less than 10% or even less than 5%, allowing to make use of the dry box, i.e. connecting the dry box with the sample transfer device and take the further steps of loading and/or manipulating a sample/sample carrier.
  • the dry box comprises at least one at least partly closable user opening providing a user access to the inside of the dry box.
  • a user can enter the inside of the dry box for loading and/or manipulating a sample by appropriate user tools, like a pair of tweezers.
  • user openings should be at least partly closable, e.g. by a foil cover and/or by a corresponding user opening door.
  • the foil cover may have one or more slits, preferably two slits being perpendicular to one another, such that a user hand can move through the foil cover.
  • the user opening of the dry box alternatively or additionally, comprises a glove mount for mounting a glove which extends, when mounted, into the inside of the dry box.
  • a glove mounted on the glove mount enables a user to work inside the dry box without affecting the cryogenic atmosphere inside the dry box.
  • the dry box comprises an electromechanical or mechanical mechanism for decoupling the dry box from the sample transfer device and for coupling the dry box with the sample transfer device.
  • a coupling mechanism enables bringing together the respective contact surfaces of the dry box and the sample transfer device such that a connection of the two units becomes possible where the interface opening of the dry box and the receiving opening of the sample transfer device are facing each other.
  • the connection of the two units may be realised only in that the respective contact surfaces lie on top of each other.
  • Such a connection may be enhanced by corresponding profiles in the contact surfaces, which interlock with each other.
  • a coupling mechanism In an embodiment where a coupling mechanism is provided, joining of the two units is facilitated.
  • a coupling mechanism may consist of or comprise an electromechanically controlled joining of the two units such that they are coupled to each other or a positively driven (e.g. rail-guided or threaded) mechanical mechanism for joining the two units or a combination of such mechanisms.
  • the coupling mechanism comprises an eccentric mechanism such that one full rotation of the corresponding cam member results in a decoupling and a coupling of the two units. More particularly, it is preferred if the eccentric mechanism comprises eccentric wheels at a bottom side of the dry box.
  • the dry box is mounted on a holder or carrier or frame for supporting the dry box against ground. Eccentric wheels are mounted to the bottom part of this holder/carrier/frame such that one full rotation of the eccentric wheels lifts the dry box up and lowers the dry box again.
  • the sample transfer device can be placed on the same ground beneath the dry box at a position that allows coupling of the two units. By lowering the frame of the dry box through rotation of the eccentric wheels a coupling of the two units is achieved, while a further rotation of the eccentric wheels leads to a lifting of the dry box resulting in a decoupling of the two units.
  • the dry box comprises a magnifying window at a topside of the dry box such that a user looking through said window into the inside of the dry box perceives a magnified image of any objects behind the magnifying window.
  • the present inventive concept also relates to a dry box configured to be used within a system according to the present inventive concept.
  • the dry box as such has been described in detail above such that reference is made to the foregoing description in order to avoid unnecessary repetition.
  • the disclosure of the system including the dry box is also meant to be a disclosure of the dry box as such or, if necessary, of the dry box configured to be used with a system according to the present inventive concept.
  • the dry box preferably comprises at least one of the following features:
  • An interface opening configured to be connected to a sample transfer device; the interface opening providing access into the interior of a housing part of the dry box, which housing part forms a volume space that can be used for users' operations; an interface opening lid for opening and closing the interface opening of the dry box; an inlet for introducing an inert gas into the inside of the dry box; an outlet for discharging gas out of the inside of the dry box; a sample supply container opening configured to be connected with a sample supply container; a sample supply container opening lid for opening and closing the sample supply container opening; an inert gas opening configured to be connected with an inert gas storage container; a humidity sensor/measuring device for detecting a humidity inside the dry box; at least one at least partly closable user opening providing a user access to the inside of the dry box; a foil cover at least partly covering the user opening; the user opening comprising a glove mount for mounting a glove, which extends, when mounted, into the inside of the dry box; an electromechanical or mechanical coupling mechanism for decoupling the
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a system according to the present inventive concept
  • FIG. 2 schematically shows a view from above of a cross section in a horizontal direction through the dry box of the system of FIG. 1 ,
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show the system in a transparent side view in a coupled state ( FIG. 3 ) and a decoupled state ( FIG. 4 ), and
  • FIG. 5 schematically shows an embodiment of a dry box according to the present inventive concept.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a system according to the inventive concept in a perspective view, the dry box being shown transparently.
  • the system is designated 100
  • the sample transfer device is designated 180
  • the dry box is designated 110 .
  • the sample transfer device 180 of FIG. 1 comprises a transfer rod 184 having at its other end a receiving section 186 for a sample holder/cartridge as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the transfer rod 184 is retracted such that the receiving section 186 is positioned inside the sample transfer device 180 for being able to receive a sample holder which is typically arranged in the receiving opening 282 of the sample transfer device 180 (see also FIG. 2 ).
  • the sample holder is arranged in a loading position, and a sample or a sample carrier is placed onto or into the sample holder.
  • the transfer rod 184 is moved in its axial direction such that the receiving section 186 of the transfer rod can receive the sample holder which is moved through the connection tube 188 and outside of the connection tube 188 when shutter 185 is in its opened position.
  • the sample on the sample holder is then transferred to a transfer position where the sample holder as such can be transferred e.g. to the cryo-stage of a cryo-microscope.
  • the state of the sample transfer device 180 as shown in FIG. 1 is only for illustrative purposes to better understand design and function of the sample transfer device 180 .
  • the housing part 116 (see also FIG. 5 ) including the volume space of the dry box 110 can be made of a transparent or semi-transparent material and comprises in the embodiment of FIG. 1 a magnifying window 190 enabling an operator to look into the dry box 110 and to monitor its inside. As the magnifying window 190 is directed onto the interface opening 112 , it is possible to view any elements in the line of sight in magnified form.
  • the humidity of the atmosphere in the volume space of the housing part 116 can be measured by a measuring device 152 connected to a humidity sensor 250 (see FIG. 2 ).
  • the dry box 110 further has an interface opening 112 , the frame of which is configured such that it can be placed on top of the sample transfer device 180 as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • connection of the two units 180 and 110 is reached.
  • the receiving opening 282 (see FIG. 2 ) of the sample transfer device 180 faces the interface opening 112 of the dry box 110 such that a sample and/or a sample carrier and/or sample holder can be transferred from the dry box into the sample transfer device.
  • the connection of the two units 180 and 110 as described above does not need to be a hermetically sealed connection but needs to be a sufficiently tight connection in order to avoid excessive gas leakage.
  • the dry box 110 further comprises two at least partly closable user openings 160 providing a user access to the inside of the dry box 110 .
  • the user openings 160 are partly closed by a foil cover 162 covering the user opening 160 and having two slits perpendicular to each other such that a user hand can enter the dry box 110 by pushing away the flexible slotted foil cover 162 . Additionally, the user openings 160 may be closed by corresponding user opening doors 164 .
  • the dry box 110 comprises a carrier or frame 174 , which holds the interface opening 112 of the dry box 110 at a height corresponding to the height of the topside of the sample transfer device 180 as can be seen from FIG. 1 .
  • the carrier or frame 174 comprises a base part 176 which is supported by ground and comprises two eccentric wheels 172 such that an eccentric mechanism 170 is formed which will be described in connection with FIG. 3 or 4 later on.
  • the eccentric mechanism 170 couples the dry box 110 with the sample transfer device 180 by lowering the interface opening 112 of the dry box 110 onto the topside of the sample transfer device.
  • FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective view from above through the system 100 onto the topside of the sample transfer device 180 and onto elements arranged in the floor area of the volume space of the dry box 110 .
  • FIG. 2 On the left there is a sample supply container opening 230 to which a sample supply container 232 can be connected, for instance, magnetically.
  • the sample supply container 232 comprises a perforated plate typically located above a bath of liquid cryogenic gas, the perforated plate comprising small sample transfer containers loaded with grids or sapphire plates.
  • the sample supply container opening 232 can be opened and closed by a sample supply container opening lid 234 .
  • the next element shown in FIG. 2 is an interface opening lid 214 for opening and closing the interface opening 112 .
  • the interface opening of the dry box 110 allows access to the sample transfer device 180 which is arranged below interface opening 112 .
  • Such an inert gas opening 240 serves the purpose of allowing cold inert gas streaming inside the dry box 110 .
  • the inert gas opening 240 can be connected to an inert gas storage container 344 (see FIG. 3 ).
  • 240 can designate another sample supply container opening to which a sample supply container can be connected, which sample supply container opening 240 is closable by a sample supply container opening lid 242 .
  • Reference sign 220 designates another inlet or quick connector or valve for introducing an inert gas into the inside of the dry box.
  • gaseous nitrogen from a gas cylinder may be introduced through a quick connector 220 for efficiently generating a dry atmosphere of sufficiently low humidity within a small amount of time.
  • sample supply container 232 and/or the sample transfer device 180 it might be sufficient to only use the sample supply container 232 and/or the sample transfer device 180 as a source of cold inert gas streaming into the dry box 110 .
  • another source of inert gas like a nitrogen gas cylinder or the inert gas storage container 344 is useful.
  • the dry box 110 is placed by means of its frame or carrier 174 in relation to the sample transfer device 180 such that interface opening 112 is positioned above the receiving opening 282 of the sample transfer device 180 . If the receiving opening 282 is closed by a receiving opening lid 284 , the interface opening 112 is placed above the receiving opening lid 284 as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the eccentric mechanism 170 which will be described in further detail in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4 below, the interface opening 112 is lowered onto the top surface of the sample transfer device 180 (see also FIG. 1 ) in order to achieve an essentially closed system of the two units 180 and 110 .
  • an inert gas is introduced into the dry box 110 , preferably by opening the inert gas inlet 220 .
  • Instreaming inert gas displaces the air inside the dry box 110 , and the humidity of the cryogenic atmosphere is measured by the measuring device 152 connected to the humidity sensor 250 .
  • the system 100 is not hermetically sealed, humid air can be displaced through existing air leaks. A relative humidity of less than 5% can be achieved and is desirable.
  • introduction of inert gas into the dry box 110 can be automized by means of a control unit (which may be part of the measuring device 152 ) and a valve controlling the amount of instreaming inert gas by means of the humidity sensor 250 or by simply adjusting the amount of gas released from a gas cylinder.
  • the interface opening lid 214 is opened such that air from said dead volume flows into the dry box 110 .
  • the receiving opening lid 284 of the sample transfer device 180 is removed.
  • the inside of the sample transfer device 180 also is under cryogenic atmosphere. It is, however, also conceivable to use a sample transfer device 180 without a receiving opening lid 284 such that the cryogenic atmosphere inside the sample transfer device 180 is completed by cryogenic gas from the dry box 110 .
  • a sample supply container is connected to the sample supply container opening 230 of the dry box.
  • the sample supply container opening lid 234 is opened when the inert atmosphere inside the dry box 110 has the desired low humidity.
  • Samples can now be transferred from the sample supply container 232 onto e.g. a smaller sample carrier/grid and/or onto a sample holder/cartridge inside the receiving opening 282 of the sample transfer device 180 .
  • other kinds of manipulation of samples/sample carriers/sample holders including unloading are possible without any risk of contamination or devitrification.
  • FIG. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of the system 100 in a transparent side view.
  • the sample transfer device is depicted 180 , the dry box 110 and the frame or carrier of the dry box 174 .
  • an inert gas storage container 344 is received inside the carrier or frame 174 of the dry box 110 .
  • This inert gas storage container 344 can be connected to the inert gas opening 240 as discussed in connection with FIG. 2 .
  • a sample supply container 232 may be included into the lower part of the carrier or frame 174 . In this respect, reference is made to the explanations in connection with FIG. 2 .
  • the carrier or frame 174 comprises a bottom part or base part 176 essentially extending parallel to the ground onto which the sample transfer device 180 is placed.
  • the base part 176 of the carrier or frame 174 comprises an eccentric mechanism 170 which comprises an eccentric wheel 172 on the left and another one on the right side of the base part 176 of the carrier or frame 174 (as also shown in FIG. 1 ).
  • the frame or carrier 174 is in a lowered position to enable coupling of the dry box 110 and the sample transfer device 180 .
  • FIG. 4 shows the system 100 of FIG. 3 with the only difference that the eccentric wheel 172 is in another position where the base part 176 of the carrier or frame 174 is lifted up such that the dry box 110 takes a slightly tilted position and is decoupled from the sample transfer device 180 .
  • FIG. 5 schematically shows an embodiment of a dry box 110 according to the inventive concept in a perspective view similar to that in FIG. 1 but without a sample transfer device.
  • the housing part 116 including the volume space of the dry box 110 can be made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.
  • the dry box 110 has an interface opening 112 (see FIG. 1 ), the frame of which is configured such that it can be placed on top of the sample transfer device 180 as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the dry box 110 further comprises two at least partly closable user openings providing a user access to the inside of the dry box 110 , which user openings may be closed by corresponding user opening doors 164 (shown in the closed state). As can be further seen in FIG.
  • the dry box 110 comprises a carrier or frame 174 , which holds the housing part 116 of the dry box 110 including the interface opening 112 at a height corresponding to the height of the topside of the sample transfer device 180 as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the carrier or frame 174 comprises a base part 176 which is supported by ground and comprises two eccentric wheels 172 such that an eccentric mechanism 170 is formed which has been described in connection with FIG. 3 or 4 above.
  • the eccentric mechanism 170 couples the dry box 110 with the sample transfer device 180 by lowering the interface opening 112 of the dry box 110 onto the topside of the sample transfer device.
  • a measuring device 152 having a display for operating the device and/or for displaying relative humidity values of the inside of the housing part 116 of the dry box 110 measures the relative humidity of the atmosphere inside the housing part 116 by humidity sensor 250 .
  • a relative humidity of less than 5% can be achieved and is desirable. It is noted that introduction of inert gas into the dry box 110 can be automated by means of a control unit and/or the measuring device 152 and a valve controlling the amount of instreaming inert gas by means of the humidity sensor 250 or by simply adjusting the amount of gas released from a gas cylinder.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
US17/873,266 2021-08-04 2022-07-26 System for loading and/or manipulating a sample in a sample transfer device Pending US20230045321A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21189724.4A EP4130841A1 (fr) 2021-08-04 2021-08-04 Système de chargement et/ou de manipulation d'échantillon dans un dispositif de transfert d'échantillons
EP21189724.4 2021-08-04

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20210025789A1 (en) * 2019-07-24 2021-01-28 JelloX Biotech Inc. Tissue sectioning system

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102014110722B4 (de) * 2014-07-29 2016-06-09 Leica Mikrosysteme Gmbh Ladestation zum Umladen von gefrorenen Proben bei tiefen Temperaturen
DE102014110724B4 (de) 2014-07-29 2016-09-01 European Molecular Biology Laboratory Manipulationsbehälter für die Kryo-Mikroskopie

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20210025789A1 (en) * 2019-07-24 2021-01-28 JelloX Biotech Inc. Tissue sectioning system

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CN115704827A (zh) 2023-02-17

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